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HAYS COUNTY, Texas — The Hays County Health Department (HCHD) received confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on October 31, 2025, that a mosquito trap sample collected in the 78737 ZIP code tested positive for West Nile Virus. The positive sample was collected from a site in the unincorporated area of Austin/Dripping Springs on October 28, 2025. This is the first reported West Nile Virus-positive mosquito trap of the 2025 season in Hays County. There were nine positive West Nile Virus mosquito traps during the 2024 season. In the state of Texas, DSHS reported 3,314 positive mosquito traps during the 2024 season for West Nile Virus. So far this year, DSHS has reported 1,182 positive mosquito traps for West Nile Virus. “Rainfall within the Central Texas area leads to an increase in standing water, which provides ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” said Eric Vangaasbeek, Chief Environmental Health Specialist at Hays County Development Services (HCDS). "We encourage everyone to take proactive steps to prevent mosquito bites by reducing areas of standing water around their homes and properties.” While 80% of people will not experience symptoms of an infection, only 20%of people may experience some symptoms. Symptoms of West Nile Virus infection can include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, a skin rash on the torso of the body and swollen lymph nodes. While the risk for severe symptoms is low, individuals aged 50 and older and those with compromised immune systems may be at an increased risk for stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis and, in extremely rare cases, death. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is encouraged to seek medical attention. Supportive care and treatment to improve quality of life and comfort are typically provided to diagnosed patients. Patients can expect to exhibit symptoms for three to six days, but may experience fatigue and weakness for weeks or even months. There is currently no treatment for West Nile Virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “The detection of West Nile virus in our mosquito surveillance program is a reminder that public health is a shared responsibility,” said County Judge and Emergency Services Director Ruben Becerra. “While this finding is not a cause for alarm, it is a call to action. We urge residents to take simple precautions— like using insect repellent and eliminating standing water — to protect themselves and their families. Our staff at Development Services and the Health Department are actively monitoring the situation and working to reduce the risk to our community.” “The health and safety of our residents is always our top priority. While the detection of West Nile Virus in our precinct is concerning, it’s also a reminder of the importance of our ongoing mosquito surveillance and control efforts,” said Hays County Precinct 4 Commissioner Walt Smith. “We are working closely with public health officials to ensure proactive measures are in place, and we encourage everyone to take simple precautions to protect themselves and their families.” The key to preventing West Nile Virus is to minimize the number of mosquitoes in areas where people live, work and play. Health officials strongly encourage everyone to remain vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites and preventing mosquito breeding on their properties. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one teaspoon of standing water. By draining all sources of standing water in and around your property, you reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed. Common examples of sources of standing water include buckets, flowerpots, old tires, and pet bowls. “While we continue to monitor the situation, please try to avoid mosquito bites by following the three Ds: DEET, Dress and Drain,” said Ian Harris, HCHD Disease Surveillance and Preparedness Manager. DEET: Whenever outside, use insect repellents that have the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-registered repellents, and always follow label instructions. DRESS: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside. DRAIN: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace where mosquitoes could lay eggs. Hays County Development Services (HCDS) is providing mosquito surveillance within the county to monitor and track mosquito-borne illnesses. Some mosquitoes can transfer potentially deadly diseases — known as arboviral diseases — to humans. HCDS is collecting mosquitoes to determine which areas are harboring disease-carrying mosquitoes. HCDS will set up collection traps across the county on a rotating basis to capture samples of several species of mosquitoes that will be sent to the Department of State Health Services in Austin for identification and determination of the type(s) of illness the mosquitoes could be spreading. Monitoring species, mosquito density and geographic breeding sites will provide critical early predictive data to HCDS to help monitor, prevent and combat mosquito populations and mosquito-borne illnesses. HCDS uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gravid-trapping method to collect mosquitoes. This trap is designed to attract female mosquitoes that are ready to lay eggs. The trap uses a fan to draw in mosquitoes that approach the liquid in the bottom of the bucket and keeps them in a collection bag until the trap is collected. HCDS also uses the BG-Sentinel trap. This trap targets other mosquito species that are vectors of other arboviruses. Collection is typically carried out from May until November throughout Texas. Hays County Development Services and the Hays County Health Department will continue to conduct mosquito pool traps and health surveillance to promote the health and safety of our residents. For more information regarding mosquito abatement, contact Hays County Development Services at 512-393-2150. Visit the Texas Department of State and Health Services West Nile website for more information on the disease at txwestnile.org. ###